Nardello Asks Consumer Utility Assistance to Continue

The consolidation of the state Departments of Public Utility Control  and Environmental Protection could negatively affect consumer protection, according to state Rep. Vickie Nardello, (D-Prospect).

“Connecticut would be the only state in the nation without consumer services regarding utilities,” said State Rep. Vickie Nardello, House chairwoman of the Energy and Technology Committee.  “We were never made aware of this units closing during agency merger discussions”

Nardello and Sen. John Fonfara, (D-Hartford) the co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Energy and Technology Committee sent a letter to DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty about their concern.

They asked for the restoration of the Consumer Services Unit at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).  The letter can be read in the attached pdf document.

As part of the state’s consolidation efforts to save money, the 14-member unit is to become automated beginning September 1, 2011. The Consumer Services Unit responsibilities include:

• Fielding consumer complaints about utilities.
• Providing information and assistance to customers, both residential and commercial.
• Resolving complaints in a timely manner.
• Service cutoff prevention

Approximately 45,000 calls to 1-800-382-4586 are fielded annually by the New Britain-based unit with callers speaking directly to a live representative within a minute. 

The unit also puts out a public report indicating which utility companies attract the most customer complaints. Since utilities pay the salaries of the 14 employees through a ratepayer surcharge, state savings is minimal.

The layoffs are unrelated to the pending union concession deal.